What’s the Why Here

Here I am at the end of the first week of January and I cannot begin to imagine I have any idea how the rest of this year will unfold. Therefore, I’m not into resolutions or plans, really.

I am thinking about what’s really helping me, though. I’m engaging more with writing flash fiction, which really means I’m reading more flash fiction and writing what I learn from what I read. I’m hoping to write three first drafts this month. Sounds like a plan, I guess, but what I mean when I say “I’m not into resolutions or plans,” is that I’m not into thinking much farther ahead than maybe the end of the month. That’s a good amount of time, I think. I can bet that COVID-19 will still be very present in our lives and that my family’s routine will probably be about the same as it is now; I can plan around these things because they’re likely to be our reality. I cannot make big predictions for the rest of the year, as in a New Year’s Resolution, because as we all have come to learn that is just not fruitful.

I am fighting with the daily why-do-I-bothers when there is a whole lot of pain biting away at us every day. But then I think, why not? Why not write for a few minutes? Why not attempt to tell a story for the sake of it? Why not offer some connection for people who may need a little inspiration to get their own creative stuff accomplished? Does it hurt anyone? I don’t think so, other than I’m not spending that time cleaning the house. 😉 Does it help? Engaging with my writing — something I’ve wanted to do since third grade — is both calming and exciting for me. I am fully satisfied when I simply write a damn story. And if I’m feeling decent about something, probably I’ll help the rest of my little family feel more decent, too.

In this way, my Why here is really a Why Not. And so, why not keep doing what’s working. Write every day. Even if it’s just a few minutes.

That’s it. Why not.